Bristol in Sullivan County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Isaac Shelby (1750-1826)

Frontiersman and Revolutionary War Leader

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 13, 2019

1. Isaac Shelby (1750-1826) Marker

Inscription. Colonel Isaac Shelby was a leader of frontier American forces resisting British rule. British officer Patrick Ferguson was aware of Shelby's presence in the area and sent out a warning, if the rebels did not desist in their opposition to British arms, he would march over the mountains, hang them and lay their country waste with fire and sword. Shelby immediately notified fellow militia leader John Sevier at the Watauga settlements and the two organized a volunteer force from North Carolina, present day Tennessee, and Virginia to launch a surprise attack on Ferguson and his men. They used the rally cry "catch Ferguson." Shelby played a crucial role in expediting their rapid Overmountain March across the Blue Ridge to rendezvous with additional militia from the Carolinas and Georgia. In the resulting Battle of Kings Mountain, October 7, 1780, American riflemen killed Ferguson which resulted in the surrender of his men. The battle played an important role leading up to the latter stages of the Revolution, setting in motion a chain of events that led to American Victory at Yorktown in 1781.

Erected 2009 by Fort Chiswell

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 7, 1780.

Location. 36° 35.626′ N, 82° 11.072′ W. Marker is in Bristol, Tennessee, in Sullivan County. It is on Shelby Street east of 7th Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located beside the sidewalk near the northwest corner of the old Bristol Post Office and Custom House building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 620 Shelby Street, Bristol TN 37620, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee

and in the Tri-Cities Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of

Isaac Shelby Marker • wide view<br>(<i>Old Bristol Post Office & Custom House in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 13, 2019

2. Isaac Shelby Marker • wide view
(Old Bristol Post Office & Custom House in background)

the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bristol Tennessee Post Office & Custom House (within shouting distance of this marker); The E.W. King Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Evan Shelby's Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); 614-618 State Street (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 629 State Street (about 500 feet away in Virginia); Baseball History (about 600 feet away); Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman (about 600 feet away in Virginia); Bank Street (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bristol.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Historic Bristol (was about 500 feet away in Virginia but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 762 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.